Can-labeling machine



- A. H. KYLER CAN LABELING MACHINE Filed June 30,, 1920 '5 Sheets-Sheet1 E] I G A. H. KYLER CAN ABELING MACHINE I 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 A. H. KYLERCAN LABELING MACHINE Filed June so, 1920 5 Sheets Shet s I V I] ame A H.KYLER CAN LABELING MACHINE Filed June so, 1920 5 Sheets-sh et Dec. 1924'1,518,080

A. H. KYLER CAN LABELING MACHINE Filed June 50, 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet 5Patented Dec. 2, 1924.

I 1,518,080 PATENT OFFICE,

ALBERT HERBERT KYLER, OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE FRED H.KNAPP COMPANY, OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAN D, A CORPORATION OF MARYLAND.

clan-LABELING momma Application filed June 30,

have applied to the periphery thereof a label, I

suitable pasting means being employed to cause the label to adherevtothe ,cans.

One of the primary objects ofthe present invention is to provide noveland improved labeling mechanism in a machine of the character described,said mechanism being susceptible of ready adjustment whereby toaccommodate itself to labels of various sizes, to the end that cans ofdifferent lengths be successfully and neatly labelled.

has heretofore been suggested in the art to provide a receptacle forlabels with means for adjusting one or more of the sides of thereceptacle, but difliculty has been experienced in performing theadjustin operations, not only as to the incident oss of time in makingthe necessary adjustments oftentimes resulted in an uneven fitting ofthe labels, as well as injury to the labels.

It is contemplated by the present invention to provide a labelreceptacle including opposed sides, which are readily adjustable bodilywith respect to one "another, as well as adjustable at an angle withrespect to one another, and means whereby the necessary adjustments maybe accomplishedfrom one side of the machine, preferably the front side,to the end that the operator may readily make the necessary adjustmentat the front of the machine as he positions the labels on the base orbottom of the receptacle.

It is further contemplated by the inyen-i 4 tion to provide novel andefficient means whereby aside of the receptacle may be adjusted atopposite ends independently, with the result that, as desired, said sidemay be inclined in one direction or the other at will,

It is a further object of the invention to 1920, Serial No. 393,110.

whereby the sides of the label receptacle may be relatively adjusted, ofnovel means for simultaneously adjusting the base of the receptaclewhereby the latter will automatically assume a normal position withrespect to the sides, regardless of adjustment.

More particularly, the invention includes certain improvements inlabeling machines, simple in design and construction, strong anddurable, and efiicient in operation.

Other improvements and novel details in the construction and arrangementof parts will be-understood from the description to follow which, for aclear understanding of theinvention, is to be considered in connectionwith .the accompanylng drawings,

forming a part hereof, and wherein is disclosed, a convenient andsatisfactory embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the labeling machinewith the improvements applied; Figure 2 is a transverse sectionenlarged, substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1,;

F igure-3 is a frontelevation enlarged, of a label support, other partsof the machine being removed;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the same; Figure 5 is a transversesection enlarged, substantially on the line 5 5 of Figure 1, showingmore particularly adjusting means 1 for one side of the labelreceptacle; but in the accuracy of the adjustments which Figure 5 is adetail view of label supporting means; and

Figure 6 is a detail section of the supporting member 49.

With more particular reference to the drawings wherein like referencenumerals referto corresponding parts throughout the several views, 1 isasuitable inlet feed runway'for cans, 2 a suitable can spacing means,and 3 endless belt conveyors,- the latter being adapted to rotatewhereby to impart rolling feeding movement of the cans along a suitablerunway 4 as delivered to the latter from the feed runwayl. 5 .is asuitable paste receptacle having 'therein a pasting roll not shown butadaptedto, in the movement of the cans along the runwa apply to theperiphery of the cans a dau of paste whereby as this pasted area of thecan engages with a label on the receptacle, the label will be picked upand applied to the periphery of the can. The parts above described may.

i be of any of the approved types heretofore patented, and not necessaryto describe in the adjacent end of the cans, as by the spring supports8. llt will be appreciated that, the bar 6 having been properly adjustedto adapt itself to the particular length of cans to be labelled, thespring guides 7 will serve to maintain the cans in contact with thestationary guide (i, with the result that the cans will be properlypositioned, in the rollframe 15.

ing movement, with respect to the labels supported in the manner to benow described.

llt will be appreciated that, in view of the fact that the machine maybe adapted to different length cans, means should be provided toproperly position the labels so that the latter will assume an accurateposition with respect to the cans, irrespective of the size of thelatter, and it will also be appreciated that there is some times aslight variation in the cut of the labels, and considerable flexibilityof adjustment should be provided for the sides of the receptacle,whereby to accurately accommodate the size of the receptacle to the sizeof the label, and prevent any sticking of the labels against such sides,which might interfere with the accurate fitting of the labels intocan-applying position.

The label receptacle preferably includes bottom sections 9 and 10 eachof which has a central depending lug 11 to which is secured a suitablepin 12 projecting inwardly toslidably engage in an aperture 13 in anupwardly projecting car 14 on an adjustable The frame 15 has at oppositeends slotted ways 16 to receive pins Uprojecting downwardly from thebottom members 9 and 10. The engagement between the pins 12 and 17 andthe slots 13 and 16 respectively is a loose one whereby to permit ofslidable movement of the sections 9 and 10,'as well as a slight .tiltingmovement of one end of said sections 9 and 10 with respect to theopposite ends thereof. Interposed between the ears 1 1 and thedepending'lugs 11. are suitable spiral springs 18, -sa1d springs beingmounted upon the pins 12 and adapted to constantly exert outwardpressure on the lugs 11 and in turn force the connected bottom sections9 and 10 outwardly. I

The receptacle has a front side 19 and a back side 20. Depending fromthe front side are the arms 21 and 22 adjacent opposite ends thereof,and projecting from the rear side are arms 23 and 245, the arm 24: beingarranged substantially midway of the ends of the back side 20 whereby toform a stop or abutment intermediate the ends of the said side for thelabels. Suitable upright supports 25 and 26 are provided the same beingmounted in any desirable manner upon the framework of the machine, saidsupports being arranged in pairs-one at the front and one at the back ofthe machine, and projecting between the arms of each pair are suitableguide bars 27 and 28, respectively, upon which are sleeved for slidablemovement apertured ends of the sides 19 and 20.

Projecting beyond opposite ends of the sides 19 are suitable lugs 29having a threaded aperture therethrough adapted to receivecorrespondingly threaded bolts 30, loosely projecting through aperturedbearings 31 which latter have associated therewith means for preventingrelatively endwise movement of the bolts. This means "for preventingendwise movement of the is preferably devoid of threads at the pointwhere it projects through the bearing 31, the engagement between thebolt proper and said bearing will, as previously stated, he a loose one,so that upon the rotation of the bolt 30 by means of its connectedhandengaging part 32, the movement of the bolt with respect'to thebearing 31 will be a rotatable one, and said bolt by reason of the parts30 and 30 respectively, will be lixed against longitudinal movement withres set to the bearing or the support to which said heating is fixed. Atthe same time, however, by reason of the threaded engagement between thebolt 30 and the member 29, fixedto the side 19, this side will be movedlongitudinally as said bolt is rotated. The said bolts terminate insuitable operating handles 32.

Pro ecting beyond the ends of the back side 20 are suitable aperturedlugs 33 interiorly threaded to receive threaded bolts 34: projectingforwardly and downwardly at an incline beneath the bolts 30 previouslydescribed and having suitable bearings 35 adjacent the forward ends,said bearings having associated means whereby to prevent to the bearings35 includes a collar 34: fixed upon the bolt and adapted to looselyengage till Mill

rib

against one side of the bearing 35, whereas a shoulder part 34 fixedupon the bolt is adapted to loosely engage the opposite side of saidbearing 35. The bearings 35, while fixed against bodily movement, at thesame time are permitted to have a slight oscillating or rotary movement,by reason of the projecting pintle 35 adapted to have rotary bearing andto be held in place by cotter pins or the like 35 (see Fig. 2).Likewise, the bearings 33 are adapted to have oscillating or rotatablemovement in their supports by reasonv of the projecting pintles 33*which may project through the support and be adapted to be engaged byretaining means similar to the cotter pins 35 previously referred to(see Figs. 2 and 4). As the bolt 34 is rotated, it will be fixed fromlongitudinal movement by reason of the abutments 34* and 34", but byreason of the threaded engagement between said bolt 34 and the bearing33, the latter with the connected side 20 will be moved longitudinallywith respect to the bolt 34, the bearings 33 and .35, respectively,slightly tilting or swinging to accommodate for the movement of the boltand plate 20, without any binding tendency. These bolts 34 preferablyterminate short of the bolts 30 and have operating handles 36, saidhandles being arranged with respect to the handles '32 so thattheoperation of any one handle will not interfere .with, or be impededby, the operation of another.

From the description above, it will be seen that the front side with theproject- 1 ing arms 21 may be moved back and forth by impartingrotatable movement to the bolts 30 by means of the handles 32. -Assuming that these bolts 30 are operated simultaneously and in the samedirection, opposite ends of the front side will be correspondinglymoved. Assuming, on the other hand, that it is vdesirable to cant oneend of. a front side with respect to the other, the operator will impartmovement to one or the other of the bolts 30. In this same connection,by reason of the fact that the bottom section 9 is constantly held underspring pressure in contact with the outwardly projecting arms 21 of thefront side, said bottom section will have imparted thereto the necessaryadjustment simultanedom of movement of the bottom section to enabled todo this without moving from his position at the front of the machinewhich tation of the operating handles.

eration will simultaneously impart the same movement to the back sidethroughout its length. If it is desired to cant or incline the backside, that is cause one end of said back side to be moved a greater orless dis tance than its companion side, then the operator grasps one orthe other of the operating handles 36, as the case may be, and causesone end of said back side to move with respect to the other. The backsect-ion 10 of the bottom of the receptacle being spring-held in contactwith the depending arms 23 and 24 of the back side of the receptacle, itwill be observed that the bottom section 10 will follow the adjustmentof the back side in the same manner as does the front bottom section 9follow the adjustment of'the front side 19, in the manner previouslydescribed,

By the above means of adjustment, not only is the operation simplified,but it is possible to make accurate adjustments whereby the frame willaccurately correspond with the labels, to afford retaining guiding meansfor the latter, and at the same time overcoming the possibility ofedges. of the labels clinging by reason of too snug an engagement withportions of the sides, which would interfere with the accurate verticalfeed of the labels which is accomplished in any desired manner, as by aplunger-and-ratchetfeed generally indicated at 37 but not necessary todescribe in detail herein.

The space above the front section 9 of the bottom of the receptacle andbetween the arms 21 is substantially'open by reason of the enddisposition of the arms 21 for the ready reception of the labels ontothe bottom sections of the label receptacle, and in order to affordsubstantial bearing for the bottom section 9 in'the movement andadjustment of the latter, said bottom section is provided at oppositeLends with flanges.

9 and 9 downwardly curved thereby forming an extended bearing with thedownward projecting arms 21 of the front side. The

in the operation of the machine the forward end of the topmost labelswill assume This opa position above the forward end of said front andback sides of the receptacle, and in order to assist in maintaining thelabels in flat position until separated by the cans, an elongated springarm 38fprojects from the adjacent runway sections 39 at each side oftherunway, said spring arms being fiat and adapted to contact with theforward edge of the topmostlabels, the spring arms being forced intocontact with such labels by the cans as they move from theadjacentrunway sections 39 onto the top edge 19 and 20 of the front and backsides of the label receptacle, which top edges of said sides constituterunway sections for the cans as the latter move over the labelreceptacle.

Suitable lap-end pasting means'is provided adapted to engage the rearedge of the topmost label, the said means including a suitable pastereceptacle 40 secured conveniently to the rear side of the framework ofthe machine and having mounted therein for rotatable movement a suitabledrive shaft 41 adapted to be driven in any desired manner from any ofthe driving parts of the machine. Positioned uponsaid shaft forrotatable movement therewith is a suitable roller 42, the-- shaft 41projecting through the opposite side of the pastereceptacle 40 andhaving mounted thereon a suitable gear wheel 43. An elongated supportingarm 44 adjustably mounted upon the paste receptacle projects across thelabel receptacle adjacent the rear end thereof and projecting from oneside of the free end of the arm 44 are rollers 45 and 46, respectively.A suitable pulley 47 is conveniently mounted upon the receptacle 40. Atransversely-extending shaft 48 is mounted for free rotatable movementin a'suitable support 49 mounted at its lower end as at 50, to theadjacent side of the paste receptacle '40. Mounted upon the shaft 48 andafixed thereto for movement therewith is a gear wheel 50 adapted to meshwith the gear wheel 43 heretofore described, and also mounted upon thesameshaftisa pulley 5ialso affixed to the shaft for rotatable movementtherewith. The supporting arm 49 conveniently has an integralU-shapedextension 52, the opposite arms of. which terminate in bearingsfor the shaft 48, and the curved part thereof overlying and adapted toconstitute a guard for the paste-applying belt about to be described.@terposed between the support 49 and a stationary part of the frame is asuitable spring member 53 adapted to exert constant outward pressure onthe support 49. The paste member proper conveniently takes the form ofan endless paste-carrier belt which at one end passes around the pulley45 and thereafter both stretches of the belt'pass over the pulley 46.Both stretches of the belt thereupon project across the labels wherebythe lower stretch is adapted to move into contact with the topmost labeladjacent its edge, at point adjacent the opposite side of the machine.The upper and lower stretchesof the belt are separated by a suitablespacing rod 55. (See lBigs. 2 and 4.) stretch of the belt then passesover the pulley 47, thence downwardly between the pulleys 42 and 51, andthe upper and lower stretches of the belt contact in passing around thepulley 51. The spring support 49 performs a double function, that ofmaintaining-the belt in a stretched condition an in contact with therespective rolls 42'and 51, and at the same time maintain the gears 43and 50 in mesh, since the gear 50 is mounted for movement with thesupport 49. The engagement between the pulleys 42 and 51 also limits thecontacting engagement between the gear wheels 43 and 50, which willassist in prolonging the life, in limiting the wear on the teeth ofthese gears. The pulley 47 assists in evenly olis tributing the paste onthe lower stretch of the belt prior to the engagement of the latter withthe labels.

lin the specification and claims, wherein the term cans is employed,this term is to be considered in a general sense; that is, as includingpackages and cartons of various types and descriptions, adapted to bemoved into contact with the labels and to have the latter appliedthereto, in a manner well understood in the art.

What ll claiv is: 1. Tu a can labeling machine having runway and pastingappliances, a label receptacle having opposed relatively adjustablesides, and means arranged in front of one of said sides and constructedand arranged whereby the said sides may be adjusted towards or from eachother, and whereby one side may be moved an increased distance withrespect to its other side.

2. In a labeling machine, the combination of a label receptacle,comprising front and rear sides,'and means for relatively adjusting saidsides, said means including operating devices at the front side andconnecting with the front and rear sides whereby said sides may be movedtogether or independently, and in straight paths or at relativeinchnations, as desired.

3. In a labeling machine having pasting bination of a label receptaclecomprising a The lower 7 llllti bottom and opposed sides, each of saidsides being adjustable in straight lines or at relative angles, the saidadjusting means being arranged adjacent to one another whereby they areoperable from the same side of the machine.

5. In a labeling machine having a .canrunway and pasting appliances, thecombination of opposed sides, one of which is adjustable towards or awayfrom the opposite side, and adjustable means arranged to engage oppositeends of said side whereby the opposite ends of said side may besimultaneously or independently adjusted.

6. In a labeling machine having can feeding and pasting appliances, thecombination of a label receptacle comprising a bottom and opposed sides,each of said sides being I mounted for adjustment towards and from oneanother, and adjusting means for oppo-' site ends of both sides, saidadjusting means being positioned at the front side of the machinesubstantially as .and for the purpose described.

7. In a labeling machine having a can runway and pasting appliances, alabel receptacle comprising a base and front and rear sides", the rearside being adjustable independent of the front side, and adjustableappliances for the rear side operable from the front of the machine.

8. In a labeling machine having a can runway and pasting appliances, alabel receptacle comprising a base and front and rear sides, the rearside being adjustable with respect to the front side, and adjustableappliances for the rear side operable from'the front of the machine,said adjusting means offering substantially no obstruction interiorly ofthe label receptacle, which latter has an unobstructed open front side.

9. In a can labeling machlne having can feeding and pasting appliances,the combination of a label receptacle comprising a bottom and front andback sides, the-back side being adjustable towards and from the frontgigs, and means for adjusting the back side comprising transverselyextending guide-ways for the back side and adjusting means operable fromthe front of the machine and. engaging said back side, and meansoperatively connected with the front side whereby to independentlyadjust the same in straight lines or at an inclination.

10. In a labeling machine having a suitable runway, can feeding means,and pasting appliances, the combination of a label receptacle comprisinga bottom and front and rear sides, lugs projecting laterally from therear sides and bolts threaded through apertures in said lugs forimparting sliding movement to the rear side, said bolts front of themachine, and adjusting means having bearings in said upright supportoperatively associated with the front and rear sides for impartingthereto relative adjustment.

12. In a labeling machine having a can runway and asting appliances, thecombination of a abel receptacle comprising a bottom'and front and rearsides, transversely extending guide-ways for said sides, said sides.being mounted for relative sliding movement towards and from oneanother, apertured lugs projecting outwardly from opposite sides of thefront and rear sides, and adjustin bolts threaded respectively, one toeach of said lugs and terminating in times with the adjacent side of thereceptacle. I Q

14. In a can labeling machine having-can feeding and pasting appliances,the combi nation of a label receptacle comprising front "and rear sidesboth of which are mounted for adjustment towards and from one another,and a bottom for the receptacle arranged in two sections substantiallycoextensive with the sides and mounted for relative sliding movement,and means interposed between the sections and acting automatlcally tomaintain one bottom section in handles at the front side of the machine.

contact with one side and the other bottom section in contact with theopposite side in accordance with the adjustment of said sides.

'15. In a labeling machine, the combination of a receptacle comprisingopposing sides, and a bottom comprising opposing sections, means wherebysaid sides may be simultaneously or' independently adjusted and wherebyone end of thesides may be adjusted a greater distance than the oppositeend thereof, and said bottom sections being mounted for adjustmentautomatically in accordance with the adjustment of said sides. v

16, In a labeling machine, "the combination of a label receptaclecomprising a bottom arranged in front and rear sections, a

. back side sections, the front'side section haw ing depending armsadjacent opposite ends ing the bottom support for said sections, andsaid sections having a connection with said support permitting, lateraland lengthwise adjustment, and front and rear sides for the receptacle,having means to contact with the bottom. sections whereby tosimultaneously adjust the latter according to the adjustment of thesides, and spring means-for normally retainsections in contact with saidsides. a

17. In a labeling machine, the combination of .a label receptaclecomprising front and back bottom sections, and front and thereof withthe space between said arms ainobstructed for the insertion and removalor labels at the front of the machine onto said bottom sections, thebottom section having at its ends downwardly projecting flanges toengage said arms of the front side, and spring means for maintaining thebottom section of the downwardly projecting flanges in contact with thearms of the front side. is J 18. In a labeling machine, the .combination of a can runway, means for feeding a can along the runway, opposedguides to engage opposite ends of the can, one side of the guide beingadjustable whereby to permit 0t difierent length cans,pasting'appliinereneo' ances and labeling appliances, the latter beingadapted to support diderent width labe s to accommodate the difl'erencein the size of the cans to be labelled, and comprising a bottommember-and opposed sides, and independent devices operable from one sideof the machine for simultaneously adjusting'both of said sides.

j 19. In a labeling machine, the combination of a can runway, meansdisposed above the runway for rolling cans along the runway, pastingappliances in the path of the rolling cans, and a label receptaclecomprising bottom and opposed sides, the opposed sides at the upperedges iorming in efiect sections of the runway, sald upper edge? of saidsides at the forward end beng inclined downwardly, and elongatedflatspring arms projecting from opposed sides of the runway overlappingspace from the runway sections and the label receptacle and adapted toengage the adjacent edge of the labels in the receptacle.

In testimony 'whereot'll have hereunto affixed my signature in thepresence of two witnesses. J2

' ALBERT HERBERT KYLER.

\ Witnesses:

Ennn H. KNAPP, MARY Z. Bar'mr'rr.

